Postmenopausal volunteers were recruited in Brazil from the Endocrinological Gynecology Division of the Gynecology Department of Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP). All women participated in this prospective, randomized, double-blind and estrogen-controlled study and approved by the local Ethics and Research Committee (Report No 386/2004). The evaluation of all of the subjects consisted of a detailed history, a physical exam, and a laboratory workup. The study protocol was approved by the UNIFESP School of Medicine Human Investigation Committee, and every participant had to provide written informed consent before enrollment.